Page 40 of Alpha's Heir

He then anointed a wicked-looking dagger with a dark, viscous liquid that I suspected was a mix of blood and some foul oil. The blade gleamed ominously under the dim light, its edge razor-sharp and menacing.

Preston approached me, his steps deliberate and unhurried. He started to draw symbols on my skin, each stroke sending waves of terror through me. The symbols were intricate, their designs foreign and ancient, and I could feel them burning into my flesh as if they were alive.

I tried to pull away, but my bonds held me fast, rendering me helpless under his cold, calculating touch. The symbols encircled my belly, and I felt a protective instinct surge within me, a primal urge to shield my unborn child from this abomination.

As Preston continued his ritual, I caught glimpses of Weston fighting desperately, his form a blur of motion as he battled the shadow wolves. Each time he was struck, my heart lurched, fear for him intertwining with my own terror.

Preston paused, his gaze momentarily flicking towards the battle. "Take one last look at Weston, because you'll never see him again," he said, his voice void of any emotion. His words were a cold blade to my heart, and I turned my head, tears streaming down my face as I watched Weston fight valiantly against overwhelming odds.

The terror and despair I felt were suffocating, and in that moment, I knew I had to find some way to survive, to protect my child, and to hold onto the hope that somehow, Weston would prevail.

Chapter twenty

Weston

Theforest,onceamaze of dangers and horrors, seemed to part for us, its monsters scattering into the shadows at the sight of the Guardian. His presence was like a beacon of strength, guiding us through the twisted underbrush and nightmarish landscapes. As we neared the heart of the forest, the trees gave way to an open area that resonated with an ancient, sacred energy. It was the shrine Cora had described to me, and it looked every bit as mystical and foreboding as I had imagined.

The entire Unseen Pack was there, gathered like a congregation of shadows and malice. Their eyes glowed with a sinister light as they noticed our arrival. The air crackled with tension, the moment before the storm.

Without hesitation, we charged into battle. The Guardian, a colossal force, tore through the shadow wolves with a primal ferocity. His presence alone was enough to turn the tide, instilling fear into our enemies. I fought with every ounce of strength I had, my heart pounding, my muscles screaming in exertion. The shadow wolves were relentless, but so were we.

Claws clashed, teeth snapped, and bodies collided. The sound of the battle was a cacophony of growls, howls, and the clash of flesh and bone. With each shadow wolf I took down, my resolve only grew stronger. I had one goal – to reach Cora.

Through the chaos, I caught glimpses of the altar. Cora was there, tied and helpless, her eyes filled with a mixture of fear and determination. She was staring right at me, her gaze urging me on.

Preston stood near the altar, his preparations almost complete. The sight of him, so close to Cora, ignited a fire within me. I needed to reach her before he could enact whatever twisted ritual he had planned.

But the Unseen Pack was between us, a wall of darkness and rage. They lunged at me from all sides, forcing me to fight for every inch of ground. Each time I took one down, another took its place. It was a relentless, desperate struggle, a dance of life and death.

The Guardian was a force of nature, his massive form moving with a grace that belied his size. He fought with a ferocity that was both terrifying and awe-inspiring, his actions a blur of motion and power.

I ducked under a swipe, rolled away from snapping jaws, and lunged forward, my own fangs bared. The forest around us was a whirlwind of movement and sound, but my focus was singular – save Cora.

With every step, every blow I landed, the altar seemed to grow further away. Preston’s mocking laughter echoed in my ears, fueling my rage and despair. Cora's eyes never left me, her faith in me unwavering even in the face of impending doom.

I fought on, driven by love, fear, and desperation. The battle raged around me, but my world had narrowed to this one objective. I had to reach her, had to save her. The thought of failing her, of losing her and our unborn child, was unbearable.

I let out a guttural roar, channeling every bit of strength and fury I possessed. The Unseen Pack, sensing my resolve, intensified their attack, but I was undeterred. I was a whirlwind of claws and teeth, my every move driven by the need to reach my mate.

As I neared the altar, the reality of the situation hit me – I was running out of time. Preston was just moments away from completing his ritual. My heart raced, my breaths came in ragged gasps, but I pushed on, fueled by a love that knew no bounds.

The battle was still raging, the outcome uncertain, but my path was clear. I had to save Cora, no matter the cost.

The clearing erupted into a nightmarish battlefield, with monstrous beings joining the fray alongside the Unseen Pack. Their grotesque forms slithered and prowled through the chaos, their twisted snarls mingling with the growls of the shadow wolves. The air was thick with the stench of blood and fear.

I fought desperately, my heart sinking with each comrade I saw fall. The Unseen Pack was relentless, and with these new abominations at their side, our chances of victory dwindled. The Guardian was a force to be reckoned with, but even his might seemed to wane against the overwhelming tide.

I caught a glimpse of Preston near the altar, his hands moving deftly as he painted symbols on Cora. Her eyes were wide with terror, her body rigid with fear. The sight filled me with a paralyzing dread. Time was slipping through my fingers like grains of sand, each moment bringing Cora closer to an unspeakable fate.

A group of shadow wolves and their monstrous allies swarmed me, their combined weight forcing me to the ground. Sharp claws and teeth tore at me, each blow a reminder of my failing strength. I could hear Cora's muffled screams, the sound tearing through me like a blade.

I strained against the mass of bodies, my muscles burning with exertion. The weight was suffocating, crushing. Every breath was a struggle, every movement a battle in itself. But the thought of losing Cora, of failing to save her and our unborn child, lent me a surge of desperate strength.

"Get off me!" I roared, my voice ragged with effort. I pushed and kicked, fighting with every ounce of strength I had left. My vision blurred with pain and exhaustion, but I refused to give in. I couldn't – not while Cora was in danger.

Preston's voice cut through the chaos, his words a chilling incantation that seemed to echo through the clearing. I saw the symbols on Cora's skin begin to glow with an eerie light, a harbinger of the dark ritual's completion.

"No!" I screamed, my voice laced with raw fear. I thrashed wildly, throwing off one attacker after another. The taste of blood filled my mouth, the scent of death hung heavy in the air, but all I could focus on was Cora.

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